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Single milestones
1960: Deutsche Wurlitzer GmbH founded. The 'Lyric' was our first jukebox, and this range was to dominate the European market for nearly two decades. It was much smaller than the American models and was therefore easier to fit inside small French bars or Italian cafes. This range was then followed by a series of different design variations which matched the spirit of the age both in sound and style. 1963: one of the first European cigarette vending machine manufacturers of electro-mechanical cigarette machines for interior use. Wurlitzer quickly became market leader in the upper market segment using its futuristic V24 model. The outstanding properties possessed by this model were good price to performance ratio, reliability, a wide range of selections, an unusually long service life and increased flexibility. Some old V machines are still in use nowadays, over 30 years old. Due to the fact that break-ins and vandalism were becoming more and more common, a very successful range of models (Alcatraz, International) were brought out, whose design construction paid much more attention to security aspects. 1972: expansion with the construction of a second factory in Stemwede-Levern. 1976: Deutsche Wurlitzer GmbH was the first manufacturer in Europe to integrate bill acceptors in cigarette and snack vending machines as standard. 1976: first European manufacturer of spiral vending machines, also known as full-view vending machines. Their on-view products stimulated people to make impulse purchases. Thanks to the use of flexible spiral technology, every form of products from canned drink to CD was able to be sold in addition to sweets and snacks. 1979: first manufacturer to introduce cooling systems into spiral vending machines. 1984: first manufacture of laserdisc jukeboxes (pictures and sound). These offer excellent picture quality and playing systems that do not wear out, in contrast to videotapes. 1985: Deutsche Wurlitzer GmbH was taken over by the Australian Nelson Group of Companies. The change of ownership resulted in a new definition of focus worldwide. All products are now manufactured in Germany to the highest quality. Marketing companies in England, USA and Australia are the international contact points supporting importers and dealers in more than 60 countries around the world. Deutsche Wurlitzer GmbH joins the ranks of export champions within German industry with an export quota of over 70%. 1986: started production of the 'One More Time' nostalgia jukebox (recreation of the legendary Model Wurlitzer 1015 with modern technology). This model made its triumphant progress around the world for the second time. Up to now more than 40,000 jukeboxes have been exported to over 60 countries. Wurlitzer was now producing the jukeboxes for a wider market than just gastronomic investment. The 'One More Time' allowed Wurlitzer to make the break- through in establishing the juke- box as a luxury consumer item for private users across the world. More than 90% of these jukeboxes were and are used in living rooms and party rooms. Wurlitzer entered at the home, collector and incentive market with new importers, sales organisations for nostalgic products and leading mail-order companies. 1987: introduction of the first full-view deep-frozen ice cream vending machine in the world. This type of vending machine, called the 'Deli', was the first to use the full-view impulse buying concept. 1990: The One More Time model was supplemented by the introduction of the One More Time CD model. Now that CD technology is established, this model can store over 2000 song titles in top CD sound quality. 1992: the first manufacturer to introduce high-security snack vending machines in cooperation with leading market-defined European vending partners in the Public Vending Sector. The High Security snack vending machines can be found on any railway station, whether in Germany, Switzerland, France or Spain, whether on the Metro in Paris or the underground in Barcelona. Deutsche Wurlitzer GmbH is now Europe's largest manufacturer of high security models. 1996: introduction of the exclusive Elvis Presley OMT limited edition in cooperation with Elvis Presley Enterprises in Nashville, Tennessee. 1996: first manufacturer in the world to introduce the VarioTemp concept in spiral vending machines. Different adjustable temperature zones and introduction of the 3°C cooling class in spiral full-view vending machines. This enables fresh products and sweets to be viewed and sold in temperature-controlled and product-optimising zones. 1997: first manufacturer in the world to introduce vend light gate in goods vending machines. 1998: first manufacturer to introduce the Wurlitzer SmartWaiter concept into shop window / spiral vending machines. This concept allows fragile and impact-sensitive products such as yoghurt and portioned pre- cooked meals to be sold from full view spiral vending machines with their high turnover. 1999: Deutsche Wurlitzer GmbH starts a worldwide initiative to allow the spiral vending machine concept to be transferred to post vending machines in terms of both sales and products. An interesting growth market is therefore opened up through the sales of post articles. Post services in many countries now recognise that vending machine sales allow a modern service around the clock. 2000: further developments concentrate on automated sales of newspapers and magazines. The first machines are in use around the world on newspaper publishers' and wholesalers' premises. 2000: Deutsche Wurlitzer GmbH starts production of drinks' vending machines. Inspired by the success of the nostalgic One More Time jukebox, the recreation of the famous V44 drink vending machine, named W64, produces a second nostalgia model for home users and collectors. The W64 is also very popular with drinks wholesalers, brewers and agencies for use as an incentive for advertising purposes. 2001: first manufacture in the world of can and bottle modules in spiral vending machines for on-view drinks. The impulse buying concept is now in use for cans and bottles as well.
